Dubai SVNS: Fiji end 22-tournament drought as Spain fall short

SUNDAY WRAP: Fiji claimed the first title of the new HSBC SVNS season in Dubai after a dramatic final against Spain at the end of a pulsating weekend of sevens rugby.

The Flying Fijians ended a 22-tournament drought dating back to Toulouse in 2022 to claim the crown, after Argentina had showed all their street smarts to shut out New Zealand in the bronze final.

Final: Flying Fijians end brave Spain’s title hopes

Fiji claimed its first title on the international sevens circuit since finishing top of the pile in Toulouse in 2022 as they beat a brave Spain 19-5 in the showpiece match.

But, at the end of a weekend of surprises in the men’s competition in Dubai, Spain gave Fiji a real scare in their first-ever HSBC SVNS final.

The great Pol Pla had scored his 100th international sevens try to give Spain the lead in the semi-final. He added try number 101 to give them an early advantage in the showpiece match.

But a dream result for the underdogs wasn’t in the stars.

HSBC Player of the Final Filipe Sauturaga levelled just before the break before Jeremaia Matana and Ilikimi Vunaki crossed in the second half to give the Flying Fijians an insurmountable lead as they claimed the crown – their first after a drought lasting 22 tournaments, and their first in Dubai since 2015.

Fiji coach Osea Kolinisau was delighted his side had broken their long run without a title: “It’s been a long time coming,” he said. “ I’m so happy for the boys. I’m so happy that we’ve got the monkey off our back now.

And he added that he wanted his side to challenge for more titles this season. “We want to be consistent. We’ve worked really hard these last six months. We were disappointed at the Olympics. I told the boys hard work pays off and it paid off here.”

Tearing it up in the Dubai final 🔥

Congratulations to Filipe Sauturaga your Player of the Final, presented by @HSBC_Sport #HSBCSVNS | #HSBCSVNSDXB pic.twitter.com/Bw0Zr9gROl

— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) December 1, 2024

Bronze final: Clever Argentina shut out All Blacks Sevens

Argentina demonstrated their high sevens rugby IQ in a tight, hard-fought bronze final to shut out New Zealand, scoring once in each half to claim third place 14-0.

Matías Osadczuk scored the only try in the first half of an intense encounter, going under the posts to give the South American side a 7-0 advantage.

Sofai Maka looked certain to reduce arrears with a long-range breakout run – but he was thrillingly hunted down by Marcos Moneta, a player better known for his attacking ability, but who personified Argentina’s defensive effort on the night.

Agustin Fraga darted over with a minute left on the clock to put the result – the third time in a row they have beaten New Zealand in Dubai – beyond doubt.

Semi-finals: Spain make it two against New Zealand, Fiji overwhelm Argentina

New Zealand missed out on a first Dubai final since 2019 as the remarkable Pol Pla became the first Spanish player to score a century of international sevens tries, as their remarkable Dubai run continued with a second victory over New Zealand in as many days.

The veteran’s touchdown, early in the second half, gave Spain a lead they would not give up, after Manu Moreno had erased the All Blacks Sevens’ advantage, courtesy of future star Oli Mathis. Jeremy Trevithick gave Spain a vital cushion late on – meaning Dylan Collier’s touchdown – taking the score to 19-17 after the conversion when the clock already was in the red – was only ever going to be a consolation.

Fiji overwhelmed last season’s HSBC SVNS league winners and Grand Final runners-up Argentina in the second semi-final.

Joji Nasova scored two of their eight tries as they won 43-21.

Quarterfinals: Five-time champions South Africa crash out

South Africa’s proud run as champions at Dubai, which dated back to 2019, ended in a 24-17 loss against New Zealand – who pulled away at the end of a pulsating end-to-end quarter-final courtesy of a late double from Sofai Maka.

Anton Legorburu Anso was the hero as Spain scored the decisive try on the last play of the game to beat Great Britain 19-14.

Fiji avenged their 2024 Olympic Games final loss beating France 19-17 in a thriller that lived up to the billing. The result was decided by a breakaway Viwa Naduvalo try with the clock in the red.

A Harry Paterson hat-trick was not enough for Australia, who came up short against Argentina, losing 22-20.

Play-offs: Young France finishes on a positive

Denied a shot at a sixth Dubai title in a row, South Africa set off like a train in their fifth-place play-off against France. They led 10-0 at halftime – but were quickly pegged back early in the second.

But Zain Davids gave the Blitzboks back the advantage with two minutes left. It looked to be enough – but Varian Pasquet dived over by the posts with the clock in the red, and Stephen Parez Edo Martin converted to settle the match 17-15.

With vital series points up for grabs, Australia finished their Dubai campaign on a high to take into Cape Town next week with a 17-12 win over Great Britain, Henry Paterson scoring the crucial try 90 seconds from time.

Uruguay beat fellow promoted side Kenya 15-7 in the ninth-place play-off after the two sides had beaten USA (15-12) and Ireland (21-7) respectively.

Ireland got the better of USA 19-12 to claim 11th place with a morale-boosting win to make the long-haul flight to Cape Town pass more pleasantly.